Gurias owner questions PM’s XIII selection

The ENB Agmark Gurias Chairman and franchise owner, Steven Nightingale, has questioned the Prime Minister’s XIII Men’s selection after the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) announced the squad yesterday (September 23rd). 

Chairman Nightingale expressed concerns, saying that the Gurias were crowned the 2026 Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup Premiers, so most of the players should be in the PNG PM’s XIII squad.

“As chairman and franchise owner, I am disappointed. More importantly, I am disappointed that most of our players did not get selected,” Nightingale said. 

“I don't normally comment publicly on representative team selections, but on this occasion, I feel I need to. 

“I am extremely disappointed with the representation of the ENB Agmark Gurias in this year's PNG Prime Minister's XIII.

“We have just finished the season as 2026 Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup premiers, yet from a 20-man PM's XIII squad, we have only two players selected, Chris Benjamin and Emmanuel Alfred. That is difficult for me to understand.”

Nightingale added: “It is also a double disappointment for our players because at the end-of-season awards, not one Gurias player was selected in the team of the year.

“So, the team that ultimately won the premiership has no players in the team of the year, and only two players selected in the PM's XIII squad.

“I don't believe winning the premiership automatically gives our players a right to representative selection. Selection has to be earned.

“But I genuinely believe another two, possibly three Gurias’ players, had done enough on form and performance to earn selection, giving us four or five representatives.”

Mr. Nightingale revealed that he had previously served as a selector for the PNG Prime Minister’s XIII, so he understands the processes involved and called for transparency. 

“I also don't make these comments without some understanding of what this fixture demands,” he said. 

“In 2017, I had the privilege of serving as an assistant coach with the PNG Prime Minister's XIII.

“I understand the level of opposition, the preparation required, and what this game represents for PNG players. 

“This year's team will be playing against Australian NRL talent. If there is ever a game where current form, confidence, and the ability to perform under pressure should carry significant weight, surely this is it.”

Despite snubbing a few Gurias’ players, whom Nightingale believes deserve to play for the upcoming PM’s XIII fixture, he was proud of the two players who were selected.

“My disappointment is for the other Gurias players who I believe did everything that could reasonably be asked of them to put themselves into representative contention,” he stated.

“I am extremely proud of Chris and Emmanuel. They thoroughly deserve their selections. Form should matter. Finals form should matter even more.

“I respect that selectors have a difficult job, and there will always be different opinions around representative selections. 

“But when the premiership-winning team has no players in the team of the year and only two players in the PM's XIII, I believe it is reasonable to question the selection criteria and how much weight is being given to current form.”